Meenu

Hi guys,
I was in the middle of a cycle with TSS (I have 6 corydoras, 6 danios, and 3 guppies in my 30 gallon) when I decided to change my filter from a HOB to a canister. I put the old media in the tank for a week and ran the new filter. After a week, I was having ammonia readings of around 1 on my API master test kit, so I did a couple of days of the Prime and water changes. Then I noticed that the gills on my guppies were turning red, and they were clamping their fins, so I bought another bottle of the TSS and put it in. That was last Saturday, so about 9 days ago. When I did that, the fish stopped clamping fins, and the color was better.

I did nothing to the tank at all until yesterday. It had been 8 days with the new bottle of TSS in the tank.

So when I tested the water yesterday, I had a reading of 2 for the ammonia (!), and 0 nitrites, and 5 nitrates. I'm not sure if this is because the TSS is still working, and these are part of the crazy results you usually get with TSS, or if the TSS completely failed in my tank.

Yesterday, I did a partial water change, leaving along the gravel. I treated the water with Tetra Aqua Safe, since it is recommended for use with the TSS.

So my question is: should I give it a couple of more days to see if the TSS is working, or should I assume that it isn't and do water changes with Prime at this point?

Thanks for your help!

Diggly

I would do partial water changes with prime but I dont understand why you added new fish into the tank while you were still cycling.

Meenu

I had the 2 danios, but then I found out that 2 danios in a 30 gallon don't produce enough ammonia to keep the TSS bacteria alive, and that you are supposed to stock your tank with fish at the same time you add the TSS.

Diggly

I think you misunderstood.

The Danios would have created enough ammonia to keep enough bacteria alive for the 2 danios and keep them safe. After the cycle is finished you can add 1-2 fish every 3-4 days (testing the water in between to make sure any spikes are sorted and that the tank has settled before adding new fish) and gradually build up more bacteria that way, otherwise you have a situation where there are too many fish and not enough bacteria and that is when the poisoning starts.

Did you add more TSS when you added more fish?

Meenu

yes.

And I didn't misunderstand. I got advice on here that several people agreed with that I did the TSS wrong, and I was supposed to start with more fish.

Shawnie

I wouldnt give it anymore time and start daily water changes with prime..

Meenu

Okay, thanks Shawnie. I'll do one when I get home from work today.

Shawnie

your welcome..and if your ammonia is still 2, id do a 50% change especially if their little gills are still red...they are tough buggers for sure

Diggly

Keep us updated and good luck I am sure your babies will be fine.

Meenu

Thanks for the encouragement. The fish actually seem okay, but I'll be diligent about the water changes.